Page 10 - AAA MARCH - APRIL 2015 Online Magazine
P. 10
FEATURE AVIATION TECHNOLOGY
Push and Pull
Active side sticks enter the civilian domain
By JK Chandra
WHEN BAE SYSTEMS ANNOUNCED 53K Super Stallion.
last November, that it’s Active Control Putting it simply, in an aircraft equipped
Side Sticks (ACS), would be used on with (ACS), the pilots will feel as if the two
Gulfstream’s new G500 and G600 aircraft, sticks are linked together mechanically,
it marked the transition of a technology physically reflecting the inputs for one
from the military to civilian domain. The stick, on the other. In reality, they are
Gulfstream G500/600 will be the first electronically linked. This essential feature
commercial type to enter service with an has been missing from commercial fly-
active side stick. The maiden flight of the by-wire aircraft and affords substantially
G500 is planned for later this year, while improved situational awareness to pilots,
the G600 is scheduled to have its first helping improve crew co-ordination. The
flight in 2017. BAE is the world leader ACS is a 5th generation active stick product
in active inceptor technology, with over for civilian use, which is International
25 years of experience and is the only Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) free.
The Gulfstream G500/600 supplier of flight-worthy active sticks. The As aircraft cockpits move towards larger
with their Symmetry Flight technology has so far been only used by (15” LCD’s are increasingly the norm) and
Deck, will feature the first the military; BAE having secured all four fewer displays in the cockpit, active side
commercial use of Active contracts for this technology till date for sticks present a real opportunity for new
Control Side Sticks, courtesy the F-35 Lightning II, Uh-60Mu aircraft designs to incorporate this vital
BAE Systems Black hawk, T-50 Golden Eagle, and Ch- technology.
10 ASIAN AIRLINES & AIRPORTS MARCH / APRIL 2015 WWW.ASIANAIRLINES-AIRPORTS.COM
